ADVERTORIAL

Softlogic launches air-con units

Latest technology from Panasonic:

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

In keeping with the global trend in energy conservation Panasonic together with Softlogic launched a sophisticated air-conditioner under the ECO NAVI series yesterday.

This air-conditioner series is on display at the Sri Lanka Architect Exhibition 2011 which is currently underway.

The ECO NAVI is the brand new technology by Panasonic standing for ecology (= energy saving) navigation which automatically sense the human presence, location and activity level to operate itself in the most efficient and energy saving way.

The introduction of this new ECO NAVI room air-conditioner models will guarantee to bring the reduction of energy consumption to a new level while realizing optimum performance, flexibility and high efficiency.

The Panasonic Corporation Corporate Management Division for Asia and Oceania of Panasonic Corporation General Manager Kazuhiro Yamanishi said that the company is happy to share the cutting-edge energy saving technologies with thousands of discerning Sri Lankans.

"Reducing energy consumption is one of the ways we can contribute to the environment. This is consistent with our green life innovation concept where we realize green lifestyles to enrich people's lives through saving, creating storing and managing energy.

"These new air-conditioners will further strengthen our foothold on the aspect of saving energy. We will continue to introduce number one energy-saving products as the inventor of cutting-edge technologies. This is also a step towards our goal of becoming the number one Green Innovation Company in the electronics industry by year 2018," he said.

At the exhibition, Panasonic also launched the "Flexi System (FS) Multi Air-Conditioning System" and "the world's first two ultra-large full HD 3D Plasma Displays (103-inch is displayed at the Exhibition), and a wide variety of system products such as PBX, Phone, FAX, Security camera and Ceiling fan, which are intended to mainly attract architects and business-to-business (B to B) customers.

Yamanishi continued, "We are confident that Panasonic can be a huge contributor in the BtoB field as well as the consumer market, offering the widest product range under Our Solution, Your Value.

Uni Walkers Pvt Ltd., Marketing Director Desiree Karunaratne said, "We are delighted to be able to partner with Panasonic and introduce innovative products in such quick succession to the market. Last month saw us jointly unveiling the Panasonic 3D camcorder to the market and today we are pleased to welcome in the Eco Navi range of air-conditioners - which comes with industry leading features.

"By this we are opening the door to more energy saving opportunities and helping conserve nature. We are also pleased to unveil today the much talked about World's First two Ultra-Large Full HD 3D Professional 103-inch Plasma TV.

You could see it on display in our stall at the Architect Exhibition and get a first hand experience with this magnificent TV. Softlogic has always been in the forefront of offering our loyal customers the best technology and products that help enable a superior lifestyle and this launch is another testimony of that initiative together with Panasonic," she said.

To Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital :

NDB Bank donates medical equipment

The NDB Bank Staff Recreation Club reached out to the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Borella, by utilizing the funds of the Recreation Club to purchase essential medical equipment for the Cardio Thoracic Surgical Unit of the Hospital.

The contributed items include a cardiac bed, bed table, oxygen flow meter, BP cuffs and an emergency trolley, which are vital for day-to-day operations in the Unit. The presentation of the medical equipment took place at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital where NDB Bank Chief Executive Officer Russell de Mel handed over the items to the Cardio Thoracic Surgical Unit Head Dr Iresh Wijemanne.

Serasinghe joins Harpo Productions

Veteran hotelier Hiran Serasinghe has joined ‘Harpo Productions’ as its Operations Director, where he will be heading operations of the hotels managed by the company and the recently launched Harpo and Olak School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Serasinghe counts over 35 years in the hospitality industry both locally and internationally having commenced his career as a management trainee at the Oberoi School of Hotel Management in New Delhi.

He has held diverse managerial positions at the then Lanka Oberoi, Pegasus Reef Hotel General Manager and eventually joined the then Colombo Renaissance of the Ramada International chain, where he was subsequently appointed as the General Manager. Serasinghe holds the distinction of being the first Sri Lankan to be appointed as a General Manager of a five-star hotel in Sri Lanka managed by an international hotel chain.

Hemas Hospital launches capsule endoscopy

Hemas Hospitals, has introduced capsule endoscopy. Hemas Hospital is the first private Hospital in the industry to provide the facility in Sri Lanka.

Capsule endoscopy is a revolutionary new diagnostic tool for the detection of small bowel disease. As the name implies, capsule endoscopy makes use of a swallowable capsule which contains a micro video camera, LED lights and a transmitter. It is the only technique that allows non-invasive endoscopic examination of the entire small bowel without sedation.

The main advantage of capsule endoscopy is the ability to non-invasively evaluate the inside of the entire small bowel. Conventional endoscopic techniques allow examination of only the most proximal and distal portions of the small bowel, leaving the majority of the small bowel unexamined.

A hospital spokesperson said that it's pain free, has no exposure to harmful radiation like in X Ray or CT Scans and no sedation is required. He said that this procedure can be done as a day procedure and has no complications or side effects.

Hemas Hospitals is a subsidiary of Hemas Holdings.

Euro Pantry Systems launches 'green' furniture

Charumini DE SILVA

The Euro Pantry Systems (Pvt) Limited is planning to introduce environmental friendly furnishings to the local construction industry.

Speaking to Daily News Business Euro Pantry Systems (Pvt) Limited Managing Director, Butus Balasuriya said that there is an increasing demand for eco friendly furniture at present. Euro Pantry is presenting the laminated door system, which is the most used technology globally.

He said this helps to save timber for a green tomorrow, as there is minimum use of timber. The laminated surface furniture is non-toxic and depending on the maintenance the furniture could be given a lifetime guarantee. Thus, it has a higher durability and could be maintained easily.

The Euro Pantry Systems (Pvt) Limited has been in the furniture industry for the past 16 years and is keen on introducing eco-friendly furnishing technologies to the industry.

The company is specialized in Italian living style pantry kitchens and furniture manufacturing, and has recorded a growth of over 30 percent last year compared with 2009 and is expecting a growth of over 50 percent during this year.

At present the company has provided employment for over 70 employees and is expecting to provide more job opportunities to meet the increasing demand. Euro Pantry Systems is also planning on expanding the branch network by opening a showroom soon in Kollupitiya.

"With the boom in the tourism industry and hotels being refurbished and built newly the demand for furniture and hotel interiors is increasing rapidly. It is not only the improving demand for pantry, bedroom, shops and office furniture but also interior designing trends of customers have improved tremendously.

This is indeed an impressive indication for the construction industry and we are confident that the demand will be enhanced as the public is keen on environmental friendly, trendy products for their households," Balasuriya said.

Lanka Bell retains MTI Market Research

Lanka Bell has just completed an islandwide brand equity research study with MTI Market Research which is a subsidiary of MTI Consulting, an international strategy consultancy with over 400 client-specific assignments across 40 countries and extensive experience in research based strategy and brand consulting & advisory.

The study was conducted in rural, urban and semi-urban areas in Sri Lanka in order to determine the importance of understanding, measuring and determining the brand equity of the corporate brand. MTI Market Research has used innovative methods to accurately measure and determine the brand equity by covering all its components. "The importance of conducting brand equity research is to understand what your brands strengths and weaknesses are and to know what the customers perceive your brand vis-a-vis competitor brands. Therefore Lanka Bell which is reputed as an innovative and revolutionary brand made a prudent decision to understand the same," said MTI Country Manager, Suanthri Abeysundera.

MTI Market Research which has on board an experienced panel of associates with extensive market research experience in Sri Lanka, augmented by MTI in India, offers the full range of market research solutions in both B2C and B2B domains.